Tragedy in Ebonyi: Three Confirmed Dead in Mining Pit

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of three people following the collapse of a mining pit in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area. Four others were reportedly injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday.

SP Joshua Ukandu, spokesman for the Ebonyi State Police, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki on Sunday that the DPO in the area visited the scene after receiving information about the collapse. “No official report has yet been received from the victim’s family,” he added.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Chidi Onyi, also described the incident as unfortunate. He attributed recurring pit collapses in the state’s mining communities to illegal mining activities, often driven by greed.

“The incident occurred at a pit reportedly covered by the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt,” Onyi said.